look

look1 [ luk ] verb ***

▸ 1 direct eyes at someone/something

▸ 2 search for someone/something

▸ 3 have an appearance

▸ 4 seem

▸ 5 for saying how likely

▸ 6 making someone pay attention

▸ 7 face a direction

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) intransitive to direct your eyes toward someone or something so that you can see them:

Looking closely you could see traces of gray in her hair.

look at: Daniel looked at his watch.

Susannah looked at herself in the mirror.

look down/away/through etc.: If you look through this window, you can see the cathedral.

2. ) intransitive to search for someone or something:

I don't know where the keys are. I've looked everywhere.

look for: I spent most of the morning looking for my passport.

look through/under/in etc.: The burglar had looked through all the closets and bureaus.

3. ) linking verb to have a particular appearance:

He looked about twenty.

look like: What does your brother look like? He's tall and thin, with brown hair.

look as if/as though: Herbie looked as if he were going to cry.

look happy/tired/funny etc.: He looked very funny in his hat.

look important/strange/interesting etc.: An important-looking letter arrived for Dave.

a ) look your age to look as old as you really are:

Richard doesn't look his age at all.

b ) look your best to look as good as you can:

It was a first date, and Emily wanted to look her best.

c ) not look yourself to look different than you usually do, for example sick, tired, or unhappy:

He didn't look himself when I saw him yesterday.

d ) look at to think about something in a particular way: SEE:

John thinks that success is being rich, but I don't look at it like that.

4. ) linking verb to seem to be something:

That new movie looks good.

Things were beginning to look a bit gloomy.

look a fool/idiot etc.: You've made me look such an idiot!

5. ) linking verb used for giving your opinion about how likely it is that something will happen or be true:

look certain/unlikely etc. to do something: He looks certain to win the tournament.

it looks like/it looks as if (=it seems likely that): It looks like Bill will be able to come too.

6. ) intransitive always in imperative SPOKEN used when you want someone to look at something surprising or interesting:

Look! There's John!

a ) used for making a suggestion or when you want someone to pay attention to what you are going to say:

Look, why don't we meet for a drink and talk about it then?

b ) look what/how SPOKEN used for giving an example that proves that what you are saying is true:

It's not a good idea to travel without insurance; look what happened to Bill.

Look how long it took Mel to get a job.

7. ) intransitive if a building or room looks in a particular direction, it faces that direction:

look north/south etc.: He strolled towards the huge windows that looked south across Manhattan.

look out over something: My room looked out over the lake.

don't look now SPOKEN

used for telling someone to look at someone else, but not immediately because you do not want the other person to know you are talking about them:

Don't look now, but that man standing by the desk is Emma's new boyfriend.

(I'm) just looking SPOKEN

used for telling someone who works in a store that you do not yet know whether you want to buy anything

look before you leap

used for advising someone to think carefully before doing something

look down your nose at INFORMAL

to think that you are better or more important than someone, or think that something is not good enough for you

look good/bad

1. ) to be considered a good/bad thing to do:

Do you think it will look bad if I don't go and see him?

2. ) to seem to be going to have a good/bad result:

look good/bad for: Things aren't looking too good for him at the moment.

look here! OLD-FASHIONED

used for getting someone's attention when you are angry or annoyed about something they have done:

Look here, we are not the ones to blame for this mess.

look someone in the eye/face INFORMAL

to look at someone when you are talking to them, especially to show that what you are saying is true:

Can you look me in the eye and say that you really love him?

looking to do something

planning to do something:

We're looking to expand the business.

look the other way

1. ) to deliberately ignore something bad that is happening:

You can't just look the other way if you know that he's stealing.

2. ) to turn your head so you are not looking at someone or something:

Look the other way while I get changed.

look out

used for warning someone to be careful, especially because they are likely to have an accident

look sharp/lively OLD-FASHIONED

used for telling someone to hurry

look someone up and down

to look carefully at someone from their head to their feet as if you were trying to make a judgment about them:

The guard looked us up and down and then let us in.

look what you're doing/where you're going SPOKEN

used for telling someone to be more careful:

Look what you're doing! You nearly knocked the lamp off the table.

look what you've done SPOKEN

used when you are annoyed with someone and want them to look at the result of their action:

Look what you've done! The chair's ruined now.

look who's here/look who it is SPOKEN

used when someone arrives and you are surprised

need look no further

used for saying that you do not need to search anywhere else apart from the suggested place or consider any other choices:

Anyone in search of a new job need look no further than our careers web site.

,look `after phrasal verb transitive

1. ) look after someone/something to take care of someone or something and make certain that they have everything they need: TAKE CARE OF:

It's hard work looking after three children all day.

be well looked after: You could tell that the car had been well looked after.

a ) be able to look after yourself to not need anyone else to take care of you

2. ) look after something (for someone) to take care of something that belongs to someone else and make certain it is not damaged or stolen

3. ) look after something to be in charge of something:

an organization that looks after the interests of artists

look after yourself BRITISH SPOKEN

used for saying goodbye to someone you know well: TAKE CARE

,look a`head phrasal verb intransitive

to think about what is likely to happen, or plan what you are going to do in the future:

Looking ahead, I think the company must develop some new services.

,look a`round phrasal verb

1. ) intransitive or transitive look around/round something to walk around a room, building, or place and see what is there:

Do you want to look around the school?

2. ) intransitive to try to find something that you want or need:

look around for: We've started looking around for a house in Denver.

`look at phrasal verb transitive

1. ) look at someone/something to direct your eyes toward someone or something so that you can see them:

He turned and looked at her.

2. ) look at something to think about a situation or subject carefully, especially in order to make a decision: CONSIDER:

We're looking carefully at all the options.

3. ) look at something to read something quickly:

Would you like me to look at your essay before you hand it in?

4. ) look at someone/something if an expert looks at someone or something, they examine them and decide what to do:

I'd like a skin specialist to have a look at that rash of yours.

5. ) always in imperative SPOKEN used for giving an example that proves that what you are saying is true:

Look at Helen. She's much happier now that she has a new job.

look at that SPOKEN

used for telling someone to look at something because it is surprising, unusual, etc.:

Look at that! Someone's taken my parking space!

look at you SPOKEN

1. ) used for telling someone that you are surprised or impressed by them:

Look at you, all dressed up in a suit!

2. ) used for telling someone that you are not impressed by them, especially in reply to a comment they have made about you or your behavior:

Look at you! It's eleven o'clock and you're still in bed.

not look twice at

used for saying that you are not at all interested in someone or something:

I wouldn't look twice at someone like him.

not much to look at INFORMAL

not very attractive

,look `back phrasal verb intransitive

to think about a time or event in the past:

look back on: Most people look back on their schooldays with fondness.

Looking back on it, I've absolutely no idea why I said that.

someone never looked back

used for saying that someone achieved something special and then became even more successful:

I took the art college offer and have never looked back.

,look `down on phrasal verb transitive

look down on someone/something to think that you are better or more important than someone else, or think that something is not good enough for you

,look for phrasal verb transitive look for someone/something

1. ) to search for someone or something:

I'm looking for Jim. Have you seen him?

The police were looking for clues as to the woman's identity.

2. ) usually progressive to hope to get something that you want or need:

He was looking for work as a builder.

We are looking for a partner in a new business venture.

looking for trouble INFORMAL

behaving in a way that is likely to get you involved in an argument or fight

,look `forward to phrasal verb transitive

look forward to something to feel happy and excited about something that is going to happen:

He had worked hard and was looking forward to his retirement.

look forward to doing something: I'm really looking forward to working with you.

,look `in phrasal verb intransitive

to visit someone for a short time on your way to another place, especially if they are sick or may need help:

look in on: Can you look in on Eileen and see if she needs anything from the supermarket?

,look `into phrasal verb transitive

look into something to try to discover the facts about something such as a problem or crime: INVESTIGATE:

I wrote a letter of complaint and the airline has promised to look into the matter.

,look `on phrasal verb

1. ) look on or look upon transitive look on/upon someone/something to think of someone or something in a particular way: REGARD:

I look on it as a challenge.

look on as: We're not related but I look on him as a brother.

look on with: Thirty years ago, kids would have looked on such music with contempt.

a ) not look kindly on/upon to not approve of something:

We don't look kindly on people who cheat us.

2. ) intransitive to watch an activity or event without taking part in it:

Phil looked on in disbelief as Maggie got up on the table and started to dance.

,look `out for phrasal verb transitive

1. ) look out for someone to take care of someone and make sure that they are treated well:

I'm the oldest, and I always look out for my younger sisters.

a ) look out for yourself/number one to think only about yourself, and not worry or care about other people

2. ) look out for someone/something to look carefully at people or things around you in order to try to find a particular person or thing:

We were told to look out for a blue van.

,look `over phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to visit a place in order to examine it:

An American inspection team had looked over sites in January.

2. ) to examine something, usually quickly:

He'd been looking over the leaflets he'd picked up earlier.

,look `through phrasal verb transitive

1. ) look through something to read something quickly, especially to find the information you need:

I've just been looking through your cookbooks for inspiration.

2. ) look through something to search for something among a lot of other things:

I'll look through these files and see if I can find a copy of my résumé.

3. ) look through someone to not recognize, or pretend not to recognize, someone you know: IGNORE:

look right/straight through someone: I saw Angela this morning, but she looked straight through me.

`look to phrasal verb transitive

1. ) look to someone to hope or expect to get help, advice, etc. from someone:

look to someone for something: As young children, we looked to our parents for guidance.

look to someone to do something: They're looking to me to help improve sales figures.

2. ) look to something to direct your thoughts or attention to something:

The party needs to look to the future and forget its past problems.

,look `up phrasal verb

1. ) transitive to try to find a particular piece of information by looking in a book or on a list, or by using a computer:

I didn't know what loquacious meant and had to look it up in a dictionary.

2. ) transitive to go and see someone you know when you are visiting the place where they live:

Look me up next time you come to Los Angeles.

3. ) intransitive usually progressive if a situation is looking up, it is getting better:

things are looking up (for): Finally, things are looking up for me.

`look upon phrasal verb

same as LOOK ON 1

,look` up to phrasal verb transitive

look up to someone to admire and respect someone:

He's a role model for other players to look up to.

look

look 2 [ luk ] noun ***

▸ 1 act of looking at someone/something

▸ 2 expression of face/eyes

▸ 3 appearance/style

▸ 4 act of thinking

▸ 5 act of searching

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) count usually singular an act of looking at someone or something:

take/have a look at: Can I have a look at your new skateboard?

take a good/close look (=look carefully): He got out of the car so he could take a closer look.

a ) take one look at to look at someone or something quickly and make a decision about them:

I took one look at him and decided I didn't like him.

b ) exchange looks to look at someone at the same time as they look at you, especially to communicate something

2. ) count usually singular an expression that you have on your face or in your eyes:

a look on someone's face: I could tell by the look on his face that he was not happy.

a look in someone's eyes: He had that look in his eyes that always meant trouble.

give someone a look (=look at them in a particular way): She gave me a puzzled look.

a dirty look (=an unfriendly look): I don't know why he's giving me such dirty looks.

a look of surprise/horror/disgust etc.: She saw the look of surprise on Nicky's face.

3. ) count usually singular the appearance that someone or something has:

have a...look about/to it: The town had a very run-down look about it.

by the look(s) of: By the looks of him, he hadn't had a bath for days.

not like the look of someone/something (=think they look bad, unpleasant, etc.): I don't like the look of him. Let's sit over here instead.

a ) looks plural the attractive appearance of someone, especially their face:

She's got everything looks, intelligence, and money.

lose your looks: Even as she grew older, she never lost her looks.

b ) count a particular style in clothes, furniture, etc.:

Let us help you to create a stylish modern look for your home.

4. ) count usually singular an act of thinking carefully about a problem or situation:

take/have a look at something: We need to take a look at the way we deal with orders.

take a (long) hard look at something (=think very carefully and seriously about it): You seem to be permanently stressed out I think you should take a long hard look at your life.

take a fresh look at something (=think about it again in a different way): Insurance companies are taking a fresh look at Singapore's earthquake risks.

5. ) count usually singular an act of searching for someone or something:

have a look for someone/something: I've left my watch somewhere I'd better have a look for it.

a look around

an occasion when you walk around a room, building, or place in order to see what is there:

We can have a look around the village after lunch.